What It Is Like to Be a Realtor

You might think that being a realtor is such a glamorous profession. Well, for the most part, it is. However, the profession is not all about the luxurious homes that you get to show to the clients. In fact, a realtor’s job is not without difficulties, wearing as many applicable hats as possible in just a single day. If you are thinking about a career in the real estate industry, you might as well consider this read as a walk-through.

# You are your own boss

Perhaps, the biggest advantage of being a real estate agent is that you fully control your time. It is not a typical 9-to-5 job, and you can even work straight from your home office. There is nothing more liberating than working when you feel like it. Nonetheless, this can be the biggest disadvantage, too. While they may not be chained to your desk throughout the day, realtors usually work when everybody else is enjoying their offs. The majority of your clients will be available after they are finished with their daily jobs. This could mean longer evenings for you. Not to mention, open house tours and ocular inspections happen on a Saturday.

# You are the specialist

Other people will rely to you when it comes to their real estate-related questions because you are the expert. You’d know which communities is the safest, which properties need the highest insurance, which condo associations is the most owner-friendly, etc. Broad and oftentimes, complex as it seems, penetrating the real estate industry is easier if you have the drive and willingness to learn. Honestly, you need to brave this jungle with the right amount of knowledge from the paperwork to closing the deals to legal matters. There is no room for errors since even the slightest ones may mean the loss of your client’s earnest money and loss of your credibility in the process.

# You are a realtor and more

Interestingly, the main work of a realtor is rewarding enough. However, your role as an agent doesn’t only applies to anything real estate. This is where stress comes in. Remember that buying a home is an ultimately emotional experience and it happens in the face of life changes such as getting married, having a newborn, getting a divorce, etc. Thus, there might be a need to do things that are beyond the full scope of your job. Any client may discreetly regard you as their life coach or financial advisor. So you have to flexible when attending to the needs of your clients not just because of the ever-changing needs, but also because of the fact that you are dealing with different types of personalities. Learning how to multi-task and have grace under pressure are an absolute must. Being shaken by last-minute issues will not help the situation.

# Your niche is dynamic

When the real estate industry is booming, there is no need for you to worry because you will never run out of leads. You might even think of the profession as the best job ever. However, the industry doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is influenced by other equally important industries such as the stock market and insurance industry. Other factors to look at are the employment prospects and the changing buying patterns. Then there is the competition among other real estate agents who scramble for the same clientele as yours.

Evidently, the work of a realtor is tough. If you don’t possess any of the traits described above then, this career is not for you. However, if you are tenacious, patient, hardworking, personable, sociable and passionate, becoming a realtor is the right job for you.